Japan’s Ghibli Park has announced the opening dates of its remaining two lands, Mononoke Village and Valley of Witches.
The world’s first Studio Ghibli theme park confirmed on Twitter and in a news release that it will launch Mononoke Forest on 1 November, and Valley of Witches on 16 March 2024.
Mononoke Village will be a Princess Mononoke-themed area, inspired by the film’s Irontown (Tatara) setting. Like the film, visitors will be immersed in the Muromachi period (1336 – 1573).
The new land will include a sculpture of a Tatarigami spirit monster, the boar god Lord Okkoto and more mystical creatures.
Mononoke Village
Valley of Witches is based on the wastelands in Kiki’s Delivery Service and Howl’s Moving Castle. It will include restaurants and amusement facilities.
There will also be a replica of Karikiya, the home of Kiki and her parents, as well as a life-size Howl’s Moving Castle.
Ghibli Park is divided into five themed areas, three of which opened in November 2022. These are Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, and Dondoko Forest.
Located within the former site of the 2005 World Expo, the theme park is expected to welcome approximately 1.8 million visitors when all five areas are open.
Valley of Witches
Unlike Japanese parks such as Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea and Universal Studios Japan, Ghibli Park has no rides or coasters. Instead, it celebrates the natural beauty that inspired the company’s lush animation,
“Ghibli Park is a park that represents the world of Studio Ghibli,” the website says. “There are no big attractions or rides in Ghibli Park. Take a stroll, feel the wind, and discover the wonders.”
In more news, Ghibli Park and Japanese car manufacturer Toyota are creating a fleet of eco-friendly My Neighbor Totoro-inspired Catbus electric vehicles for visitors to ride around the destination.
